From: Bennett Kalafut <bkalafut at optics_arizona.edu> Reply-To: bkalafut at optics_arizona.edu Organization: Optical Sciences Center, University of Arizona To: killietalk at aka_org Subject: Re: [Killietalk] Fresh Water Shrimp Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2003 02:48:18 -0700
Chitin in arthropod shells (including shrimp) is usually calcified, which
stiffens the material and makes it less springy than, for example, mushrooms. I'm not sure how much calcium is actually in them. My guess would be that
disruption of osmoregulation and cellular function would become a problem
before softening of the shell occurs.
-Ben Kalafut
Calcium and magnesium are important for osmoregulation. Chitin is a polysaccharide; it's a polymer of N-acetyl-glucosamine, and similar to cellulose. Common in fungi, crustaceans, and arthorpods. Seems like there OUGHT to be calcium in those shells, but apparently not as a part of chitin, in any case.